The Washington Nationals could find a cracking answer at first base in the Rule 5 draft

The Washington Nationals are seeking power at first base in free agency and on the trade market. But it’s also possible they’ll find an answer in next month’s draft Rule 5.

This draft, held at baseball’s annual Winter Meetings, provides each team with the opportunity to select eligible prospects who have not yet made the majors but may be ready next season.

The Nationals had one of the least productive first base tandems in baseball last year and strengthening the position is a priority. Washington is linked to Pete Alonso, Christian Walker and other talented free agents. There is even talk of St. Louis star Nolan Arenado being open to a position change if he is traded, with first base being that position.

But there is one player in the Rule 5 Draft who is as close to major league readiness as you can get, and that’s Texas Rangers prospect Blaine Crim.

Baseball America highlighted Crim as a player to keep an eye on in next month’s draft.

He was in the Rule 5 draft last year and wasn’t selected. The Rangers left him unprotected for the second straight year by not adding him to their 40-man roster.

Crim is 27 years old and has been in the minors for five seasons since the Rangers selected him in the 19th round out of Mississippi College. The advantage he has over other Rule 5 prospects is that he played two full seasons with the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock and has a track record of productivity.

As of 2021, he has had four consecutive 20-home run seasons in the minor leagues. Last season he slashed .277/.370/.469/.839 with 20 homers and 86 RBI and .289/.385/.506/.891 with 22 homers and 85 RBI in 2023. He has never under Hit .277 a single minor league season and his OPS has never dipped below .800.

So why isn’t he in the majors? The Rangers have a durable first baseman in Nathaniel Lowe, who is under team control for two more years and is one of the most powerful first basemen in baseball. Criminals really have nowhere to go.

Baseball America sees Crim as a “low risk, low cost” selection because of his ability to help the team at first base and as designated hitter. Their evaluators compared him to Ryan Noda. As a rookie in 2023, he gave them cheap power, hitting 16 home runs and driving in 54 runs in 128 games. He is with the angels now.

Crim is eligible because he played at least four minor league seasons and was signed after turning 19. Players signed before the age of 18 must play for at least five years to be eligible. To be protected, a player must be moved to a team’s 40-man roster.

If Washington selects Crim in the MLB portion of the draft, it will pay $100,000 to the Rangers and must add Crim to its 26-man roster. If they decide not to keep him, they will have to clear outright waivers in order to be removed from the 26-man roster the following season.

Should the player accept the waivers, the Nationals can return him to the Rangers for $50,000.